The Other Lab: Scientifically Sound

By Richard Bond

“These are the wilder shores of media irresponsibility... we need watchable dramas in which the science is done well”

Lord Robert May, former Chief Scientific Adviser and President of the Royal Society, bemoans the representation of science in the media in "It’s science, Jim - but not as we know it", Times Higher, February 2006.

At a script conference in one of our leading film studios…

I'd like to welcome Dr Pennant of the Royal Society to this meeting.

Good morning everyone.

As you know, Dr Pennant has very kindly agreed to act as our scientific adviser on this production. To make sure that we don’t stray onto some the wilder shores of media irresponsibility. Isn’t that right Dr Pennant?

Absolutely, I’m here to ensure that the science in this production is done well. No misrepresentation or exaggeration, the sort of things that mislead the public, not to say give science and scientists a bad name.

Indeed. So to kick things off did you have any initial thoughts on the script?

I’m afraid I do. In fact it’s difficult to know where to begin.

Really?

There’s just so much to sort out. I suppose we’d better start with the title.

The title?

Has to be changed I’m afraid. Not scientifically sound.

Why, what’s wrong with it?

Well, I don’t quite know how to break this to you, but I’m afraid that, scientifically speaking, there’s just no such thing as a ‘were rabbit’.

Ah.

I’m afraid it would be wildly irresponsible to give the impression that such creatures exist, especially to such an impressionable audience.

I really must apologise Dr Pennant. That really was truly irresponsible of us. I will talk to those concerned immediately.

Good.

It’s exasperating, it really is. I just don’t know why creative and imaginative people feel that they have to make things up all the time.

Oh there’s a lot of it about.

I’m sure there is. Shall we go on? I guess the physics of Wallace’s ‘Mind Manipulation-o-Matic’ brain altering device is a bit iffy?

Yes I’m glad you mentioned that…